Location: McAbee Beach, Monterey

Maps Available:
- Beach View
- Underwater Topo

Dive Level: Beginner

General Overview:
McAbee Beach is another popular dive destination in Monterey. It’s a protected beach, and is generally calm. It is often used as another location for Open Water programs in the Monterey area. McAbee Beach varies from 15-40' depths, with terrain primarily sand channels. Kelp can be VERY thick here as you get into the 30-40' range.

Site Amenities:
McAbee Beach has restroom facilities one block away (walking out of the El Torito parking lot, go straight up the hill one block (perpendicular to Cannery Row) and make a right. The restrooms are immediately on the left. Parking is not exactly a plus for this site. You generally have to unload, then hope that you can get Cannery Row parking right next to McAbee's (keep in mind that the parking meters are one hour max, so you need to keep the quarters coming between dives - this can be difficult). There IS parking about a block away off of Hoffman Street for a nominal charge. Do NOT park in the El Torito parking lot unless you use Insider Info (below). Note: there's no dive store or air fill facilities - diver beware!

Entry/Exits:
There is one primary entry/exit point, as this is a small dive location. Reasonably sheltered, the sight is primarily a sandy gently sloping bottom. At about 30', there’s a nice kelp forest to play in/around. The terrain is very similar to Breakwater (just a few blocks away).

Notable Sights:
This sight has many of the same basic features as Breakwater, but without the hoards of Open Water students. That’s the primary draw to this site

.Insider Info:
If you want to get away with parking at El Torito Restaurant, make lunch reservations. Then, dive in the morning, but leave a note on your car stating that you have reservations – make sure you include your name and reservation time! A small price to pay for convenient parking!

How to Get There:

• Via Hwy 1
Piece of cake! Just hop on Hwy 1 going South. Once you hit Monterey, take the SECOND Del Monte Ave Exit (the one that says "To Monterey and Pacific Grove"). Stay on Del Monte Ave until you go through the tunnel. Immediately after the tunnel, get in the right lane - this turns into Foam Street. Turn right at the second signal and then left on Cannery Row. You’ll pass some rock outcroppings, then come across a Mexican restaurant (such as it is here in the U.S.) called El Toritos. McAbee Beach is immediately adjacent to the restaurant.

• Via 101 or 280
Take I-280 to Hwy 85 S. to Hwy 101 S. (or just hop on 101 to begin with). In Prunedale, take 156 W. to Hwy 1 S. to Monterey. Take the SECOND Del Monte Ave Exit (the one that says "To Monterey and Pacific Grove"). Stay on Del Monte Ave until you go through the tunnel. Immediately after the tunnel, get in the right lane - this turns into Foam Street. Turn right at the second signal and then left on Cannery Row. You’ll pass some rock outcroppings, then come across a Mexican restaurant (such as it is here in the U.S.) called El Toritos. McAbee Beach is immediately adjacent to the restaurant.

• Via the Dive Motels (Fremont St)
Head south on Fremont Street to Hwy 1 South. Now, we're never really going to get on Hwy 1, but stay with me here. Stay in the right lane of the on-ramp. It immediately turns into an off-ramp for Camino Aguajito. Take this exit, and make a right at the stop sign at the bottom of the hill. Take Camino Aguajito to Del Monte Ave, where you'll make a left. Stay on Del Monte Ave until you go through the tunnel. Immediately after the tunnel, get in the right lane - this turns into Foam Street. Turn right at the second signal and then left on Cannery Row. You’ll pass some rock outcroppings, then come across a Mexican restaurant (such as it is here in the U.S.) called El Toritos. McAbee Beach is immediately adjacent to the restaurant.